Have you heard about hot stone massage? If you have never experienced this unique indulgence, you owe yourself this exquisite moment.

Stone massage is a unique connection we experience with nature, offering a sense of profoundness and sacredness that we too often forget. It's a deep healing and unique moment that enhances our awareness and brings us closer to our true essence. It is the perfect treatment that is as enjoyable and healing for the client as it is for the practitioner.

Stone massage involves the application of water-heated basalt stones of varying sizes to key points on the body, giving a deep massage and creating sensations of comfort and warmth. The direct heat relaxes muscles, allowing manipulation of a greater intensity than with regular massage.

In cases of muscular injury and inflammation, frozen, cooling marble stones are used. This creates a type of thermotherapeutic 'vascular gymnastics' in the circulatory system to help the body detoxify and heal. The warmer stones expand the blood vessels, pushing blood and unwanted waste materials through the body. This has a sedative effect on the nervous system. The cold stones cause the blood vessels to constrict, stimulating the nervous system and drawing blood and waste products along the body.

This ensures that every cell in the body receives more oxygen and nutrients while at the same time waste material is removed more effectively through the corresponding increase in lymph flow. Not unlike changing the old oil and filter in your car for a newer filter with clean oil—a service for the body.

It is quite an experience to feel the deeply relaxing, penetrating heat from the basalt stones alternating with the toning and refreshing coolness of the marble stones. The use of extremes of temperature has long been scientifically and medically proven to be of benefit to the body. Those who wish to relax and tone their muscles with a minimum of effort see this in the use of ice packs for muscle trauma and the use of saunas.

Stone massage makes you feel deeply relaxed, allowing you to let go of all the stress that is held within your body. It is really an amazing experience to offer to the ones you love!

Those experiencing a hot stone massage will notice a healing improvement of the following symptoms:

• Muscular aches, pains, sprains, and strains
• Poor circulation
• Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
• Fibromyalgia
• MS
• Back pain
• Stress, anxiety and tension
• Insomnia
• Depression

How to incorporate aromatherapy? The wealth of combining both! Adding aromatherapy to your hot stone treatment is easy and has an amazing affect on your clients' mood and physical well-being. For instance, try the following recipe to alleviate muscular pain and aches:

Prepare your blend into a 2-oz bottle. Pour the essential oils first and then add the vegetable oil. Apply the oils first on the body and then apply or/and massage with the hot stones.

Muscular Aches Pain

• 7 drops of Birch
• 6 drops of Ginger
• 6 drops of Peppermint

Learn how to easily and efficiently incorporate aromatherapy recipes like this one into your Hot Stone Therapy treatment with our very popular e-book, "The Aromatherapy Recipe Handbook".

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Do you have to be a professional to perform a Hot Stone Treatment? I strongly encourage you to learn more about treatments like this and pursue training. The classes are fun and very informational. Visit the Last Stone Therapy website to read more.

(c) Francoise Rapp, 2002. Internationally renowned aromatherapist and alchemist, Francoise Rapp, shares her expertise in using essential oils to heal and revitalize body and mind at http://www.aromalchemy.com. Highlights include aromatherapy classes, pure & organic essential oils, recipes and aromatic treatments for health and wellness, and a free weekly newsletter. Discover the power of aromatherapy today at www.aromalchemy.com